Compare towns
Lee vs Kensington vs Keene
Cost, people, housing, commute and schools, side by side, each benchmarked against New Hampshire.
What stands out worked out from the figures below
Lee has grown the fastest since 2010 (+4.4%).
Kensington has the most expensive homes ($658k median).
Keene has the most affordable homes ($253k median).
What matters to you?
Pick a few. We’ll pull those rows to the top and mark which town comes out ahead on each. There’s no overall score: what matters is up to you.
| Measure | Lee | Kensington | Keene |
|---|---|---|---|
| Your priorities | |||
| People | |||
| Population | 4,576 |
2,009Lowest |
22,939Highest |
| Growth since 20102010 → 2020 census | +4.4%Highest NH: +4.6% |
-1.4% NH: +4.6% |
-1.5%Lowest NH: +4.6% |
| Median age | 42.9±1.9 about the NH average |
43.3±5.9Highest about the NH average |
37.6±2.3Lowest 13% below NH |
| Kensington and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Kids under 18 | 21.9%±5.6Highest NH: 18.2% |
17.1%±2.6 NH: 18.2% |
14.1%±1.6Lowest NH: 18.2% |
| Lee and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Age 65+ | 22.6%±6.8Highest NH: 20.1% |
18.8%±2.9Lowest NH: 20.1% |
19.5%±1.8 NH: 20.1% |
| Lee and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Bachelor’s degree+adults 25+ | 50.6%Highest NH: 40.6% |
48.5% NH: 40.6% |
44.1%Lowest NH: 40.6% |
| Enrolled in collegeshare of residents | 5.4%±2.6 NH: 6% |
3.4%±1.3Lowest NH: 6% |
13.8%±1.4Highest NH: 6% |
| Cost of living | |||
| Household incomemedian | $131,579±$54k 33% above NH |
$165,083±$18kHighest 67% above NH |
$78,445±$8kLowest 21% below NH |
| Kensington and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Home valuemedian, owner-occupied | $480,600±$61k 19% above NH |
$657,700±$47kHighest 63% above NH |
$252,500±$12kLowest 37% below NH |
| Rentmedian gross, monthly | — | $1,813±$627Highest 22% above NH |
$1,342±$68Lowest 10% below NH |
| Kensington and Keene are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Property taxmedian, yearly | $9,661Highest 45% above NH |
$9,637 45% above NH |
$6,812Lowest about the NH average |
| Renters paying 30%+of income on rent | 38.3%±53.3 NH: 48.2% |
24.4%±38.5Lowest NH: 48.2% |
44.5%±6.1Highest NH: 48.2% |
| Keene and Lee are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Below poverty line | 2.6% NH: 7.2% |
1.9%Lowest NH: 7.2% |
10.1%Highest NH: 7.2% |
| Housing | |||
| Homeownersof occupied homes | 95.8%Highest NH: 72.8% |
92.9% NH: 72.8% |
55.1%Lowest NH: 72.8% |
| Typical home builtmedian year | 1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1987Highest 8 yrs newer than NH |
1961Lowest 18 yrs older than NH |
| Getting to work | |||
| Average commuteone way | 28 min about the NH average |
29 minHighest 7% above NH |
17 minLowest 36% below NH |
| Work from home | 27.6%±8.8Highest NH: 16.8% |
19.2%±3.9 NH: 16.8% |
15.6%±2.7Lowest NH: 16.8% |
| Lee and Kensington are within the Census margin of error here, so we can’t say which is really higher. | |||
| Schools | |||
| Public school scoresrank in state, math + reading | #3 of 120 in NH | — | #81 of 120 in NH |
| School district | Oyster River Coop School District | Kensington School District | Keene School District |
| High school in town | None in town | None in town | Keene High School |
| Students per teacherat that high school | — | — | 12.3 |
| On TownTapestry | |||
| Old photos in Our Story | 10 photos → | None yet | None yet |
NH average · Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024; 2010 & 2020 decennial census; NCES Common Core of Data. “±” is the Census margin of error. Property tax is top-coded by the Census at $10,000+. School rank compares math and reading proficiency against the state average.